Smartwater sprays for Leicester jewellery shops

Jewellery shops on Leicester's Golden Mile are to be given devices which spray Smartwater as part of a plan to improve security for them.

After two raids on Belgrave Road shops this month, some owners have complained they do not have enough protection.

After they met police and city council officials it was agreed the devices, which link burglars to a crime scene, will be fitted in a number of shops.

Extra police patrols will be put on and pavement bollards are being considered.

One of the raids involved a van being driven into the front of a shop.

Business role

The second saw a gang smash their way through protective shutters after the business had closed for the day.

These meant there have been a total of six reported raids on shops in the area over the past year.

Ch Supt Rob Nixon, city area commander for Leicestershire Police, said: "I wanted to meet personally with the owners of the businesses affected to reassure them that police in the city are taking these incidents very seriously and are doing all we can to trace those responsible."

The Smartwater measures are to be funded by the the Safer Leicester Partnership, with the Belgrave Business Association and Belgrave United Neighbourhood Watch scheme providing two bicycles for the patrols.